Do We Really Need a First Look?
Should you do a first look on your wedding day?
This is one of the most Googled wedding questions — and honestly, it makes sense. Couples are trying to figure out how to balance emotion, logistics and pressure from every angle.
What a first look actually is
A first look is a private moment before the ceremony where you see each other for the first time. It’s not staged. It’s not performative. It’s simply space.
Some couples love it because it:
- Calms nerves
- Creates an intimate moment
- Frees up time later
Others skip it entirely — and that’s just as valid.
Why some couples choose not to do one
- They want the aisle moment
- It feels culturally or emotionally important
- They want to keep the anticipation
As a Black wedding photographer who works with couples from lots of different backgrounds, I’m very aware that traditions and expectations vary — and none of them are wrong.
My honest advice
Don’t choose a first look because Instagram says you should. Choose it if it supports how you want to feel on your day.
Whether you’re planning a city wedding in London or a non-traditional celebration elsewhere, your photographer should support your choice — not push an agenda.
